YC
Twitter vs. X: Product Lessons For Startup Founders
@ Y Combinator
11/22/24
Takeaways
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Y Combinator Cast
11/22/24
@ Y Combinator
To determine if users are getting value from a product, simply measuring engagement, like watching more content, can be misleading; for example, watching fight videos may not reflect true user satisfaction.
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Y Combinator Cast
11/22/24
@ Y Combinator
Founder CEOs have a unique advantage because they possess moral authority and a clear vision for their company, which can guide product decisions effectively.
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Y Combinator Cast
11/22/24
@ Y Combinator
The biggest change in Twitter, now called X, is the shift from a chronological feed to an algorithmic feed similar to TikTok, which prioritizes engagement over user preferences.
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Y Combinator Cast
11/22/24
@ Y Combinator
Elon Musk stated that users should feel equally uncomfortable whether they are on the far left or far right, which may have been achieved, but personal experiences suggest that engagement has increased while satisfaction has decreased.
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Y Combinator Cast
11/22/24
@ Y Combinator
When product teams focus solely on metrics like engagement or dwell time, they risk neglecting qualitative aspects such as content quality and user satisfaction, which can lead to long-term retention issues.
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Y Combinator Cast
11/22/24
@ Y Combinator
The challenge for product designers is to create a user experience that balances engagement with genuine value, rather than just driving more clicks or views.
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Y Combinator Cast
11/22/24
@ Y Combinator
To improve user experience, platforms like Twitter should provide clearer ways for users to give feedback on content they want to see, rather than relying solely on algorithmic suggestions.
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Y Combinator Cast
11/22/24
@ Y Combinator
The introduction of curated lists and personalized feeds can enhance user satisfaction by allowing users to follow content that genuinely interests them, rather than random or unwanted content.
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Y Combinator Cast
11/22/24
@ Y Combinator
Twitter excels at delivering real-time updates during breaking news events, such as political incidents or wars, but struggles with content quality during quieter times.
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Y Combinator Cast
11/22/24
@ Y Combinator
The introduction of Community Notes on Twitter has improved the platform's ability to distinguish between fake news and real news, which is a positive change.
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Y Combinator Cast
11/22/24
@ Y Combinator
The blue check mark on Twitter, once a symbol of credibility, has lost its value as it can now be purchased, making it difficult to discern legitimate accounts from impostors.
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Y Combinator Cast
11/22/24
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Editing tweets, which was once a controversial topic, has proven to be a non-issue and functions well, allowing users to correct their posts.
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11/22/24
@ Y Combinator
The integration of ChatGPT into Twitter, referred to as 'grock', represents a significant shift in the platform's purpose, but lacks clear communication about its intended use.
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Y Combinator Cast
11/22/24
@ Y Combinator
A founder's role is to clearly communicate the purpose of a product to both the team and the public, which is crucial for its success.
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Y Combinator Cast
11/22/24
@ Y Combinator
Elon Musk's vision for Twitter seems disconnected from consumer expectations, as the platform's direction lacks clarity and coherence.
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11/22/24
@ Y Combinator
Changing a product's name should be done early in its lifecycle to minimize confusion, and the new name should be easy to pronounce and spell.
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Successful product names often gain meaning through the product's use and reputation, rather than the name itself having inherent significance.
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Advertisers are pulling out of Twitter due to concerns about the type of content their ads appear next to, leading to a decline in ad revenue.
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@ Y Combinator
Focusing solely on a single metric for product success can lead to poor decision-making and a lack of overall product quality.
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Y Combinator Cast
11/22/24
@ Y Combinator
A product leader must maintain a clear vision for the product's purpose, ensuring that decisions align with that vision, even if they are not the most popular choices.
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Y Combinator Cast
11/22/24
@ Y Combinator
Steve Jobs exemplified the importance of a strong vision in product development, making decisive choices that shaped Apple's culture and product direction.